Improvement in plasters



Plasters.

Patented Now-5,187.8.

s. A. GRIFFITH.

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J1 Hes -nrrnn STATES PATENT FFIG.

SMITH A. GRIFFITI I, OF GREEN TOWNSHIP, HAMILTON COUNTY,OHIO.-

IMPROVEMENT IN PLASTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 209,560, dated November5, 1878; application filed December 17, 1877.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, SMITH A. GRIFFITH,

of Green township, in the county of Hamiltonand State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Plasters, of which thefollowing is a specification:

My invention relates to that description of plasters employed in thepractice of pharmacy which consist of a flexible base or foundation forthe reception of the plaster proper, the latter being spread out uponthe base. Such descriptions of plasters are applied to the body byplacing the plaster proper next the skin.

My invention consists, first, in providing the plaster with channels, orchannels and res ervoir-spaces, as more particularly hereinafter setforth.

The particular advantages derived from this portion of my invention areas follows: During the application of the plaster to the body thesechannels collect and convey away the perspi-' ration, moisture, andhumor-s exuding from that portion of the body beneath the plaster. Thepresence of the channels contributes to make the plaster adhere moreclosely to the skin, and increases the effect of the plaster, as theyprevent the formation of air-cells between the plaster and the skin. Theeffect of thepresence of air-cells is to weaken the power of the plasterto adhere to the skin, andalso to prevent the plaster from coming intothat close contact with the skin necessary to produce the best results.

Plasters composed of the gums, balsam, or medicinal agents containinglike properties serve to increase the flow of perspiration from the partbeneath the plaster, and to stimulate such part to throw off at itssurface the eifete matter of the system. These channels enable theplaster to aid nature in proper and rapid performances of this function,as they convey,

away the perspiration or other matter exuding from the body where thechannels occur. The presence of the channels also increases theflexibility of the entire plaster, enabling it to conform perfectly tothe part ofthe body to which it is applied.

The object of the reservoir-spaces is to supplement the advantagesderived from the chan-' nels by providing spaces additional to thoseoccupied by the channels, wherein the perspiration, humors, &o., fromthe skin can be readilyreceived and collected to be conveyed away. Theaforesaid facilitate the beneficial action and effect of the plaster,and relieve that partof the body which is beneath the plaster of what,if compelled to "remain, would poison it.

The second portion of my invention consists 1n combining, wlth a plasterdisposed according to the first part of my invention, an absorbent base,whereby such of the said moisture, &c., of the body as is received inthe channels or reservoir-spaces and does not flow through the channelsis absorbed by said base andcarried off.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a plaster provided withchannels, and Fig. 2 a plaster provided with channels andreservoir-spaces.

A indicates a sheet of some material, preferably absorbent in character,as cloth, leather, paper, &c., forming the foundation for the plaster torest on.

The plaster B may be of any description suitable for the purposes ofpharmacy.- It is disposed upon the base A of spots of any desired shape.Preferably these spots are of a diamond shape, as shown in Fig. 1; butthey may be of the form shown in Fig. 2, or any other desired shape.Between these spots are the channels G. Reservoir-spaces D, connected tothe channels 0, are shown in Fig. 2. The sides ,of the channels andreservoir-spaces are formed by the adjacent spots of plaster, and thebottom of the same is the base A. v

The base employed may be a non-absorbent base, and the first part of myinvention combined therewith; but in such case the advantages resultingfrom the direct conveyance off of the perspiration, humors, 850.,through the base at the bottom of the channels or reservoirspaces arewholly lost. prefer to employ an absorbent base. When preferred, thereservoir-spaces may be dispensed with. 7

It is evident thatthe shape of the plasterspots may be infinitelyvaried, and the course of the channels also be varied, and thecombination of channels and plasters will still be of my invention, themain feature of the latter For these reasons I being the formation orintroduction of channels within the plaster for the reception andconveyance off of said perspiration. i

As the combination of the channels and reservoir-spaces is, further, ofmy invention, the number of reservoir-spaces, their arrangement withreference to the channels, as well as the direction of the channels'withreference to them, may be varied to suit the taste of the partymanufacturing the plaster. variation it is desirable-in factessentialthat the reservoir-spaces should connect with the channels, orat least with one channel, .in order that the moisture and mattercollected therein be carried off.

Preferably the channels should have an outlet at the edge or edges ofthe plaster, in order that they may best serve their function of drainsto convey the moisture, &c., rapidly from every portion of the plaster.

I am aware that plasters with perforated bases to facilitate the escapeof perspiration have been used; but such a construction is noteffective, as the entire surface of the skin is covered by the plaster,which soon becomes soft and spreads beneath the openings. A

In all such further objection is, that the plaster, when it softens.exudes through the openings and injures the clothing of the wearer.

My improved plaster covers only a-portion of the surface inclosed withinthe area of the plaster. The channels all communicate, so that themoisture can find free vent, and the absorbent base covering thesechannels takes up and discharges much of the moisture as quickly as thechannels are filled.

I claiml. A plaster having a continuous imperforate base, upon which thepreparation is arranged in sections, leaving intervening communicatingspaces or channels covered by the base, as set forth. I

2. The combination, in a plaster, of the absorbent base and thepreparation arranged thereon, to leave intervening spaces or channels,through which perspiration can pass to the base, as set forth.

W. A. DAVIDSON, J OHN W. Srnnnm.

